CPD officers have been working on the railroad

Published 7:00 pm, Sunday, July 25, 2010

On Tuesday, July 20, Cleveland Police Department and Liberty County Pct. 6 Constable’s Office, in conjunction with the Union Pacific Railroad Police conducted a proactive enforcement action on drivers who disregarded railroad crossing arms in Cleveland.

“The way these types of enforcement actions are conducted,” said Cleveland Chief of Police Mark Bradshaw, “is a train engine provided by Union Pacific Railroad travels from the north end of the Cleveland city limits to the south end and back again several times in a two-hour period. During that time each crossing within the city limits is activated upon the approach of the train and officers stop those vehicles that violate the law by crossing over or going around the activated warning signals.”

This operation was conducted for public awareness to the dangers of disregarding railroad crossing gates and to heighten public safety. Many lives are lost every year due to motorists driving around railroad gates, said Bradshaw.

“We will be conducting other public safety events in the future to help motorists who drive near or across railroads,” said Bradshaw.

State law requires that motorists are required to stop if a clearly visible railroad signal warns the approach of a train. It is a violation if the train is approaching within approximately 1,500 feet, and using an audible signal. There could be an immediate hazard due to the speed or proximity of the approaching train. Motorists must stop when the crossing gates are lowered or being lowered.

On Tuesday, officers conducted traffic stops on several motorists who drove around the gates trying to beat the train.

There were 25 citations and five warnings issued to violators for “Disregarding Railroad Crossing Gate.” Violators can be fined up to $500.